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After Hashem hardened Pharaoh’s heart, a short exchange developed between the two, in which Pharaoh said: "I will not continue to see your face," and Moshe agreed that indeed that would be the case (ibid. 10:28-29). We should notice that until this point Moshe had never asked for complete freedom. Even at the burning bush, he had been instructed to tell Pharaoh to allow the people to journey off into the desert and bring sacrifices (ibid. 3:16-18). This request and the varied responses of Pharaoh repeated themselves when Moshe first went to Pharaoh (ibid. 5:1-3) and after the plague of arov (ibid. 8:23). Only after the plague of darkness did Moshe say that they would "not leave a hoof."
Let us put things in perspective. Moshe had originally asked for freedom of religion – as found expression in a festival of service of Hashem. Since what Bnei Yisrael were supposed to do was against the Egyptian religion, they needed to go a few days’ journey into the desert. Had Pharaoh agreed, Bnei Yisrael would have been acting under the auspices of Pharaoh, and even Moshe would have been incorporated into the Egyptian political apparatus in one form or another. He would have been one of those who "see the face of the king" (a phrase we find in other courts in Tanach – see Esther 1:14). In the argument that developed after the plague of darkness, Pharaoh was warning Moshe that the way he was going, he would no longer be one who sees the face of the king. In other words, he warned Moshe that he would be breaking ties with Egypt and would have to take responsibility for the Israelites, with all this includes. Moshe, when saying, "indeed, I will not continue to see your face," was saying that he was ready to make a full break from Pharaoh and was demanding independence.
The idea of a break from Egypt was not something that only Pharaoh saw as a threat. Bnei Yisrael also had to get used the idea. Time and time again, when trouble arose (including the danger leading up to the splitting of the sea – Shemot 14:13), they complained to Moshe that he had taken them out of Egypt and into the desert. Indeed, the quick and total separation was not easy for them either.
An important lesson for generations is that the nature of liberation, certainly of the final one, is that it takes place slowly. Even in Egypt, where it ended quickly, there was a process in which not only Pharaoh but also Bnei Yisrael had to get used to the idea – one stage at a time. In our time-period, when we are in the midst of the beginning stages of the final redemption, we should remember that we need to go step-by-step and cannot try to take shortcuts.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
